June Presentation
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: 200 Years of the Murch Family in Belfast
When: 7pm, Monday, June 23, 2025
Where: Abbott Room* at the Belfast Free Library
Cost: Free ($5 donation appreciated)
*Event limited to 75 attendees.
Dana Murch, local genealogist and historical society member, will present the program will include stories about the Mayflower; the War of 1812; pump and block making; lawyers and judges and postmasters; Gettysburg; poetry; ice-making; hydro-electric generation; weather-keeping; shoe shops; the Pygmy Circus; and World War II.
Walk Through History
Join Megan Pinette, Belfast historian, on 1 hour-plus walking tour of downtown historic district.
What: Learn about the early settlers, waterfront industries, fires, and landmark buildings. Find out which downtown building has been moved two times and survived three fires.
When: Tours will be held every Friday, July-August, start time 1pm.
Where: Meet at the Park on Main next to the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce information office, 33 Main Street.
Cost: $10 donation, per person, in support of the Belfast Historical Society & Museum. No rain dates. Cash or checks only.
Hello America!
The Story of the Experimental RCA Radio Station in Belfast
Harry Nelson, radio historian, presents an in-depth look at the history of the Radio Corporation of America’s relay station located in Belfast from 1921 to 1929. March 14, 2025 marked the 100th anniversary of the history making first live trans-Atlantic long-wave radio broadcast from London, England to the Radio Corporation of America’s relay station located on Congress Street in Belfast. This broadcast paved the way for full global communications.
Hear for yourself the rare recordings of that 1925 broadcast
Become a BHSM Member
Joining or renewing your membership costs only $20, and shows your dedication to preserving and sharing Belfast’s unique history. Your financial contribution provides for community programs, educational events, scholarships for future historians, artifact preservation and museum operations.
10% discount to all members on retail items available at the museum, including our new book Images of America, Belfast.
BHSM Publications
Introducing Belfast, the newest book in Arcadia’ Publishing’s Images of America series available for purchase at the Museum.
Co-authors Megan Pinette and Jane McLean have assembled informative and entertaining text with photographs from the Belfast Museum, Belfast Free Library and Penobscot Marine Museum collections. Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr, Maine State Historian, wrote the foreword.
The book highlights Belfast history from early settlement in 1770 to 1953, the year we celebrated 100 years as a City. Belfast will feature both photographs and text which highlight our history from 1770-1953. Chapters will include "Belfast Views", "Making A Living", "Home Sweet Home", "Celebrations" and more.
Books are available for purchase at the museum, local outlets, and Amazon.
Featured Video Presentations
More BHSM Videos
These programs are held at the Belfast Free Library. Check schedule for dates and time. Many of our recent programs can be viewed on our Vimeo channel.
Belfast History is Your History!
We need your support to keep the Belfast Historical Society & Museum open and continue to preserve Maine's coastal history. Please consider a small donation.
Thank you!
What People Are Saying
“Belfast History Comes Alive”
The Belfast Historical Society & Museum is a hidden gem right off the town's center. I visited with my small group on a recent Saturday and we found the collection interesting and the staff friendly.
—Visitor from Warren, Massachusetts
“Great Little Museum”
If you are in Belfast or from Belfast there is no reason why not to spend 45mins or so at this free museum. It has tons of interesting articles, artifacts, and pictures of the history of this charming little town. It can ben done in 30mins or over an hour, however long you wish. Don't forget to visit the barn next door too. Really enjoyed reading about the history of the town, it has a lot of it for such a small place.
— Visitor from Miami FL
“The perfect little museum”
This is a wonderful place. Megan, loves to help, we are now looking up the history of my house. Fascinating history. Open during the tourist months.
—Visitor from Belfast, Maine